On the road to more success
Malaysian cyclists chasing ‘bonus golds’ in Putrajaya
EXPECT more golds from the in-form cyclists at the Asean Para Games when they resume competition in the road events in Putrajaya today.
With the pressure off the team, national coach Johari Nayan is confident his men will be chasing “bonus golds now”.
The track cyclists were set a six-gold target. Instead, they surpassed all expectations — including the National Sports Council’s (NSC) — with a stunning clean sweep of all 12 golds at stake at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negri Sembilan.
Another 14 golds will be up for grabs in the two-day road events. “We targeted six golds from track and four from the road. I am surprised by the track riders’ achievements. I didn’t expect a clean sweep as our women cyclists were racing for the first time. “This is a very good start. Except for those in the B categories (blind), the others will race in the road time trial and road race events. We hope to collect more golds,” said Johari, who was involved in a road accident last week while training with his road cyclists at the Latar Highway near Rawang.
Johari was discharged from hospital the following day and resumed his coaching duties.
Despite the accident, he is not prepared to lower the target of four golds for the road cyclists.
“Anything can happen, especially when we are dealing with these group of extraordinary athletes,” said Johari, who also confirmed that Muhd Rauf Nur Misbah and Hafiz Sufian will replace Nor Rizuan Zainal and Nur Syafiq Suhaimy as pilots for the para cyclists.
Nor Rizuan sustained a spinal injury while Nur Syafiq fractured a leg after they were knocked down by a four-wheel drive.
“Rauf will partner Khairul Hazwan Wahab while Hafiz will ride tandem with Khairul Nizam Mohd Ali,” said Johari.
“Rauf was supposed to partner Hazwan for the Rio Paralympics last year but we released him as he just started work.
“Hafiz is an experienced former national cyclist and we can depend on him to help Khairul Nizam fight for gold.”